Okay, attack of the plot bunnies! Another idea hit me and I just got itching to write it! I wanted to make a change so this fic is an Elmont/Isabelle one. *Turns on ray shield* I have been enamoured with this idea and so I just went with pen to paper. This is AU as it veers completely from the plot of the original film. Its my own original idea. Also, I won't be getting into the main plot of this story until about 5 to 6 chapters in as I'm one of these author's who likes to build up a relationship and not just begin with then smitten with one another. This is rated T for violence, possibly a tiny bit of language. I don't own Jack the Giant Slayer or the characters... sadly, no Elmont.
Is it safe to turn off the ray shield now? *Turns it off* Well, for anyone reading this, I hope none of this note hinders your interest. I hope you enjoy. :)
Worth Fighting For.
Chapter 1. Make memories.
Her soprano laughter echoed throughout the cavernous space of the deep emerald fields, the rush of the chilled air fanning her brunette hair back behind her head as her crisp white Stallion pony spurred across the flat plane.
A second laugh mingled with hers, its melody deep and alluring, the kind that compelled you to join in.
She flung her head back as another bout of laughter bubbled up inside of her chest and out, the air carrying it back towards the man following her on his own black Stallion. The emerald blades on the grass fields flew past, land trudging up into a mist, swirling around her Stallion's hooves as they continued galloping over the lands.
"Are you going to catch me, Elmont?" The young girl laughed, throwing her head back around to look upon her pursuer.
The older boy grinned in response to her cheeky enquire, "Soon enough, Princess!"
Her eyes sparkled with mirth, realising that the boy behind was deliberately riding slower than her, for his own large black Stallion was much faster than her own pony.
The horse was growing, larger than most pony's, and high enough from the ground that she always needed to stand on a step to attach and hoist herself up onto her saddle, yet it still had a few more years to grow into its full, majestic size. She hoped that by that time she would be big enough herself to climb on without any support.
The young princess turned her gaze back ahead of her, the iris dilating within her cerulean orbs as she focused her attention onto the glistening lake a few hundred yards away within the tree line.
Sharply yanking the reigns back, her Stallion's hooves skidded along the land, digging deep brown earth and gravel into small mounds around its ankles.
Hopping down from her Stallion, she ran her small, soft hand gently through its thick pristine mane, distantly aware of the skidding of her companions mount and its snorting as she glided like a ghost towards the crystal waters.
Loud footsteps trunked behind her light pattering until she was on the water's edge the tide barely brushing against her pollen yellow slippers.
The boy next to her held his head regally as he stared straight ahead out towards the shimmering waters. The sun's reflection blurred along the ripples of the water, its golden fingertips illuminating the lake into a blaze of shimmering diamonds. Mist cleaned their faces from the cascade of water flowing over the rock face at the far end of the lake, the rocks cleaning the water. It was a beautiful sight to gaze upon.
"It truly is a beautiful sight, is it not, Princess?"
The princess turned her gaze to the left where her companion stood beside her. He had not shifted his gaze from the water and so was denied the privilege of gazing deeply into those familiar storm gems, always full with warmth and love that she had grown accustomed to.
"It certainly is, Elmont," she sighed, mesmerised by the natural beauty of the land they lived on.
Cloister's land was prosperous for the kingdom, its farms providing many substances that could be used for living and trade. The kingdom was surrounded by green, towering mountains and hills upon hills of fields and forestation.
The kingdom was also known for its great strength, the lion and tree of their insignia representing such a trait. That trait was proven by the wise and careful decisions of their ruler, King Brahmwell, as well as the strength of the army, captained by Sir Araman, who was the highest ranking knight and the most experienced. His experience in many successful campaigns had led him to become the king's most trusted knight.
Elmont was highly regarded by Araman. His teacher spoke very highly of him to the king, and he always told the young knight in training that the king would be a fool not to make him captain of the guardians once he was gone.
Elmont never fully believed his mentor's words, but he agreed with him regardless. They thought very similarly to each other, very rarely disagreeing with tactics and formations.
Elmont was always seen with the Princess. She had immediately taken a shine towards the boy and they had grown into quick friends. On many of her excursions she would challenge a reluctant Elmont to chase her without the notice of the other guardians.
The knight himself, however, craved adventure, revelling in the thrill that the stealth of sneaking out of the palace walls filled him with. He also enjoyed the chases she often put up for him, always leaving them light-hearted, so much so that in secret and out of sensitive ears they would reminisce about them.
But this time Isabelle had not wondered out without being noticed. She had been spotted by Araman and Elmont, who had conveniently been nearby in the precise moment, was sent out to retrieve her before her father grew hysteric.
He had obliged of course, yet he enjoyed how his young friend had transformed the chase into one of her little games. She was only nine and a half, approaching ten, and the young boy in his eight-teen year old self had broken free.
And so he let him out, enjoying his youth and time with his friend until the pursuit had ended right where they stood now.
"I like to come here whenever I can, Elmont," Isabelle spoke softly, his ears prickling at her velvet tone. "It's a special place to me."
"How so, Princess?" the knight enquired curiously, turning to look at her with inquisitive storm eyes.
Isabelle smiled softly, her smile transforming her expression radiant. The sun blazed above her head, surrounding the top of her head in a golden halo, dust gathered from their journey floating within to create the illusion that she was shimmering like a jewel.
Elmont found himself comparing this angelic appearance with her personality. She was kind and caring and selfless, always putting the needs of her people before herself. That was one of her greatest urges when it came to sneaking out against her father's wishes.
Her compassion, like her departed mother's, was her Achilles' heel.
"My mother and I used to ride our horses here and swim or paddle in the lake. We came by monthly to swim together or feed the occasional swan." She chuckled. "There was even this one time where a swan had chased my mother after she offered it a slice of bread."
Elmont heard himself chuckle as the image of the former queen of Cloister being chased by a swan wildly flapping its massive wings formed in front of his mind's eye.
"This is the first time that I have come here since her passing. And it's been a year today."
A sharp memory flitted across his eyes like a faulty projector as he saw Isabelle's small and round devastated face when her father had informed her. She had fled to her chambers and cried her heart out, only allowing Elmont entry.
Because the knight understood; He himself had lost his family at a young age to the plague and it had also left him distraught. Yet hours of vigorous training had kept the memory of his final moments with them out of his mind. Training always was a suitable way for him to clear his head.
The morose tone of her voice alarmed him and, with a stab of sympathy, he stepped towards her, knelt down, and pulled her small frame into a tender hug before his rationality could get the better of him.
Isabelle's arms slowly snaked their way around his waist, her fingers interlocking behind his shoulder blades as she buried her head in his chest.
"I just wanted to come back here today. This place reminds me so much of the good times I shared with her," she whimpered almost inaudibly against his strong chest.
Pulling back, he looked down at her with tender eyes that were filled with warmth and care. Sensing his stare, she tilted her head back to meet his stare, long brunette locks cascading down her back like a waterfall.
"They will not be the only happy memories you have, Princess," Elmont replied gently, his eyes sincere. "You will make many more."
"We'll make more together. Whenever you want to leave for the lake, tell me, and we'll go. We'll make memories."
Today they just reminisced, both lying on their backs, side by side, upon the soft, rugged blanket Elmont had lay over the dirt forest ground beneath them. Isabelle sneezed at the strong woodland scent of the forest as she breathed in.
They idly conversed about random topics; the land, farms, people, her own affairs on adventures he had missed with her and his own in training. He told her how his training was nearly over, and soon he would be knighted.
Isabelle had been delighted and pulled him into a bear hug after sitting up.
When the blue sky began fading into a sanguine glow, Elmont decided to take her back to the kingdom. They wrapped the blanket up neatly into a tight bundle, which Elmont then stuffed under his Stallion's saddle, before helping the Princess on her own pony.
"We'll come here regularly," Elmont announced, "Whenever you want, Princess."
"I'd really like to come on this specific day every year, Elmont. For as long as we can." She turned to smile at him. He looked down and returned her smile.
The two rode back towards the kingdom in companionable silence, both smiling in excitement for their next visit to the lake.
Still with me? These first set of chapters do have significance to the later parts of this story and the character development of Isabelle and Elmont. I will try and update as quickly as I can to get onto the central storyline where the action takes place. Hope its okay and I hope that you will stick with me and this fic. :)